As the palace guard chimed nine, the knights disappeared into their barracks and came back out a few minutes later in full armour and wearing their blank-faced helms. All but Sir Henrik and Sir Bjarne were carrying their halberds. Sir Henrik moved over to the left-hand side of the double doors into the northern hall and Sir Bjarne mirrored him, standing next to the right-hand door. All the other knights lined up with Sir Henrik and faced east. The recruits looked around, wondering where to stand but the Preceptor, standing by the door to the refectory, motioned them to the end of the line. To the recruits’ astonishment, the door to the archives slid open and the Lore Master came out carrying a bundle of white quarterstaffs. He walked down the line of recruits and gave one to each, before walking over to stand beside the Preceptor.
The knights stood immobile and the recruits did their best to copy but Jemryn, on the end of the line, couldn't help himself wriggling a little bit. It was no more than a few minutes but it felt like an age.
Then there was a rap on the door and Sir Bjarne and Sir Henrik hauled the doors open wide. In the doorway stood the king, in pink plate male, with the Areetan ambassador beside him, wearing a grey silk gown. Behind them was a small aide dressed in unrelieved black and two Areetan guards, each with a curved broadsword in one hand and a small, spiked buckler in the other.
Once the five had entered the Southern Hall, Sir Bjarne and Sir Henrik closed the doors with a boom, shutting out the crowds of courtiers all trying to peek through the doors.
They slowly walked down the line inspecting the guards until at last they reached the Preceptor who bowed almost imperceptibly. ‘Your majesty, your excellency. Welcome to the Southern Hall. Please step through to the garden.” He ushered them through the refectory and into the garden and was followed by everyone else.
Down one side of the garden, tables had been laid with refreshments and a semi-circle of benches occupied the centre with one chair in the middle.
The Preceptor gestured towards the crystal tree. ‘Our tree, your excellency. Please take all the time you wish examining it.’
‘Please call me Amanita. It gets little enough use with the stuffy formality of the Imperial court.’ She stepped towards the crystal tree with one hand outstretched until she felt the barrier. She shut her eyes for a moment and everyone held their breath but nothing happened. ‘I have only heard of them, never seen one and they are always described as shielded. I sense a great deal of power stored there but more than that I can’t say yet. Now I shall talk of dragons and study the tree later. Everyone watching me stand still with my eyes shut will be tedious. Everyone please be seated.’ She walked over to the chair and sat before accepting a glass of chilled white wine from her fussy little aide. ‘Thank you. You may go and sit with the others. I am in one of the safest places in the world with legendary warriors to guard me. If anything should happen, there will be little you can do.’ The attendant looked aghast and bent down to whisper in her ear.
The ambassador raised an eyebrow ‘And what will you do if ten warriors in dragon plate mail attack me with their halberds? Scowl at them? fend them off with your handkerchief? Go and pour yourself a glass of this wine, take a seat and try and calm your mind for an hour or go and sit on the ramparts and smoke that dreadful pipe of yours. This really is the most excellent wine, Preceptor. From Lulnun?’
The Preceptor nodded. ‘You know your wines.’
The ambassador smiled ‘One of the few perks of attending interminable soirees. Now, Dragons!’
‘Almost everything we know, or think we know about dragons has come from dragons. They have let morsels slip over the years but only ever to further their own schemes, which are usually obscure. What we do know is that dragons are long-lived and it is best, for the most part, to think of them as elderly humans pursuing odd hobbies. Many study lore and learn to use the magic power that they contain. Others will learn enough to accomplish some other goal and then never study it again. A few never study it at all. The word spell doesn’t do justice to the manipulation of power but it is the best description I have. The commonest spell that dragons learn is to change their shape. Not to cast an illusion that they are something else, but to actually change their shape. Some dragons have been known to change to horses, others to great white bears so that they can explore the frozen wastes but the commonest form they choose is human. From what we know, female dragons may change to women and male dragons may change to men. It may be possible for them to change gender, but it has never been recorded. A curiosity is that they tend to retain their colouring, a red dragon would have red hair and red eyes, a black dragon would have black hair and black eyes. Again, it may be possible for dragons to change their colouring but we don’t know of any examples.’
Jemryn couldn’t help himself. He shot his hand in the air and blurted out ‘So you could be a grey dragon and we wouldn’t know’
The ambassador laughed out loud. ‘If I were a dragon, I would either be very brave or very foolish to walk into this nest. The Dragon’s guard is famed and feared across the known world. The truth is that I am likely to have a dragon somewhere in my heritage. Most people who can wield any significant amount of power have a dragon ancestor. Shape-changed dragons will often take a spouse and children, half dragons, often result. It helps them blend with human society. Another common ploy is to be a younger son from a minor court. No-one will check up and it gives them an entry into society. Liaisons usually only lasts a few years or people would notice that the dragon doesn’t age much. Your other point, “we wouldn’t know” is well made. Unless the dragon makes a mistake, there is no way to tell for certain. The Emperor employs dragon testers who are very skilled at unravelling someone’s history, particularly their childhood. Dragons find it very difficult to relate to children, having never been human children but it isn’t exact. I’m sure some dragons get away with it and a few human courtiers who wanted to hide their shameful secrets have been falsely branded as draconic and driven out. Please bear in mind that if a dragon’s plans fall down around their ears, they will have no hesitation in turning back to their natural form, incinerating all those around them and then flying away to start afresh. They can afford to play a waiting game.’
She paused to take a sip from her glass. ‘Does anyone want to ask any questions?’
Several hands shot in the air and she pointed at Tapani. ‘Why would dragons want to hide in human society when they can just turn up and take whatever they want?’
The Ambassador smiled. ‘A most excellent question and I will answer it as best I may. The first thing is that in a fight between a dragon and a human, the dragon will win. But as you prove, by your very existence, humans working together can take down a dragon, so flying into a city, pillaging it and flying out again will work at best, once or twice before the dragon is hunted down and killed.
The second thing is that dragons will not, possibly cannot, work as a team. To accomplish anything significant they need allies or servants, and humans fit the bill perfectly.
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The next is that dragons primarily plot against each other. Move and counter move. For territory, possessions or power. It is easier to hide their plans amidst the chaos of humanity and they may set in train events that will take decades, even centuries to bear fruit.
Fourthly, dragons are destroyers. Dragons don’t write books, create jewellery or fine wines nor can they easily use them but they do like them and in human form, it is much easier to obtain them and appreciate them.
Last and by no means least. Sex. We know little of dragon breeding cycles other than they are rare and often violent. Some dragons have been known to go a little crazy when they discover human sex. Next? Yes Prince Vann!’
‘Why do dragons come this far west? They must know that it’s dangerous and there aren’t vast riches here.’
The ambassador nodded. ‘Another good question. I suspect that most dragons are aware of the prophecies concerning the jewel of the isles and would quite like to be first to the party even if they don’t really believe the prophecies. The second is that this is a good territory. If a dragon could claim it, they would have access to almost everything they could want. Good food, fine wines, gold and jewels, even a library of rare volumes and the humans would make such good servants.’ She waved her hand towards the archive. ‘And the crystal tree should yield its power eventually. They are incredibly rare and highly prized. Ah yes. Preceptor?’
The Preceptor nodded to her. ‘You say this would be a good territory but every dragon who has braved our shores for the last thousand years has been driven off or killed. Surely that would be a warning? It doesn’t explain why they still come.’
The Ambassador stood up and stretched languidly. ‘Oh Preceptor! Dragons have been coming here continuously as merchants and traders, for most of that time. I believe the criminals call it casing the joint. Most of the dragons you fight are young and foolish males who don’t believe that a handful of humans could possibly be a danger.’
‘And the other few?’ Sir Henrik wanted to know.
‘Older and foolish males’ chuckled the ambassador, ‘and before you ask, most females would have no interest in finding the jewel of the isles so half the lure has vanished. Search your records. I’m willing to bet you have only ever fought dragons with two horns, never one with four horns and be glad of that. Females are often significantly bigger than males. Princess Bria?’
Bria pulled her hand down, a bit startled about being addressed directly. ‘How big do dragons get? And is it true they can’t tell lies?’
The ambassador looked thoughtful. ‘Dragons grow for their entire life but slowly once they become mature. The biggest males are called drakes and may be up to 60 feet long and about 12 feet high at the shoulder. The last dragon fought here was known as Celosia. Yes, the empire takes great interest in dragons and what becomes of them. He was only about two hundred years old and about twenty feet in length although he may have grown a little since the records were made.’
‘Lying? Dragon’s certainly can lie, but often don’t bother. They claim they would have to remember details of what they said for far too long. Of course they might not be telling the entire truth, but they are seldom caught in a lie. Lore Master?’
Everyone turned in astonishment as the Lore Master spoke. ‘Are you able to share with us details of any dragons who have dropped out of site recently or that the empire is pursuing?’
The Ambassador stared at him for a moment before replying. ‘I suppose there is nothing confidential about the information. Dragons are always appearing and disappearing in our records. Some become reclusive in the mountains, others are killed in duels with other dragons. My last reports from Areetan suggest that the only dragon being pursued at the moment is a forty-five foot grey called Oleander. He dropped out of site about two decades ago but showed none of the disillusionment that recluses show and the losers of fatal duels usually get found fairly quickly. He is known to be an adequate caster but unusually lethal in combat. The imperial court would very much like to know where he is and what he’s up to and have even offered rewards for information but not kill, which is unusual to say the least.’
Jemryn put his and up again. ‘How does the empire control dragons without the Dragon Guard?’
The ambassador smiled at him. ‘The empire is aware that dragons exist and can shape change; we have an entire bureaucracy try to keep track of significant players, and in recent years they have aimed shorter, so to speak. they used to try keep track of dragons over thirty-five feet, but now try to keep track of any over twenty-five feet. There have been notable dragons in the past shorter than that but they are exceedingly rare. Celosia was an example of such a prodigy, right up until his arrogance got him to do something stupid. As for actual control, it is virtually impossible to tell if a human is a shape-changed dragon. If a human is suspected of being a dragon and a criminal, they are typically questioned inside a dagger chamber, sometimes called a spike chamber. The idea is to provoke the dragon into changing form in a space too small to hold it with the walls and ceiling lined with barbed spikes up to three feet long. The results are predictably messy. Dragons that go rogue in their true form are hunted and killed, usually by adventurers for any posted rewards.’
The King caught the Preceptor’s eye who nodded and stood up. ‘No more questions!’ He bowed to the ambassador. ‘Thank you so much for your insights and your discretion. Please accept our hospitality for the rest of the day and study the tree to your heart’s content.’
As everyone got up and helped themselves to the food and drink that had been laid out, the ambassador’s aide went over to the Preceptor. ‘Sire, Argan, is liking, if possible, to try one of your halberds.’ He indicated one of the guards who had accompanied the ambassador. ‘He is likes to try different weapons wherever we travel. Would this be possible?’
The Preceptor rubbed his eyes. ‘I suppose I see no reason why not. Henrik, Bjarne. Would you take Argan and …’ He looked at the aide
‘Kardiss, sire,’
‘Just “Preceptor” will do, Kardiss.’ replied the Preceptor. ‘Take them through into the hall and take Argan through the first halberd form.’
Jemryn slid through the crowd as only small boys can do. He saw the ambassador sitting on the grass near the tree and went over to her. ‘May I bring you anything, your excellency?’
She looked up at him and smiled. ‘Ah. Jemryn Farrenreed, the boy who thinks I am a dragon in disguise.’ She looked at his stunned expression. ‘Yes, I know who you are. It is my job to know much about your court and you did make quite a stir in the court not so long ago. Now. You are said to be both clever and inquisitive. Look at this. The grass inside the barrier is the same length as the grass outside the barrier, but nothing can get in to eat it or mow it. Curious, yes? What is your suspicion?’
Jemryn looked at it for a while and frowned. ‘The grass was cut two days ago and it was the same length inside and out before. There are no grass trimmings inside the barrier so where did they go? I think the grass inside is an illusion. It’s not really there at all. That would be the simplest trick.’
The ambassador clapped her hands with delight. ‘Of course. Clever boy. But why go to the trouble of putting an illusion there in the first place? It’s a waste of power and simple stones would look just as good.’
Jemryn thought for a moment. ‘Because it's hiding something else. Maybe runes that unlock the barrier or a portal.’
The ambassador stood up. ‘I shall watch your career with interest. Runes are the script of the dwarrowmen, or delvers as you know them, and wouldn’t help with magic that I know although I suppose a pass phrase could be there but then why hide it. A portal is unlikely. They do exist but are usually colossal stones to take the stress. But you are right about an illusion, watch!’ She flattened an area of grass down with her feet around the edge of the barrier and a patch inside flattened to match it. ‘See. No line to show where the barrier is. I’m also sure that you’re right about the illusion hiding something. I think you might benefit from study at the university in Areetan.’
Jemryn’s eyes went wild. ‘I’m a page for the dragon’s guard. I can’t leave.’
The ambassador smiled at him. ‘I will suggest it to your parents and the Preceptor and, as a minor noble of the court, I will be happy to sponsor you. It will be years before you are old enough so don’t worry about your duties here.’ She glanced at the Preceptor. ‘You wouldn’t be the first guard to leave, study and return.’